Protective effect of propofol on liver in severely scalded rabbits

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of propofol on liver in severely scalded rabbits. Methods Twenty healthy male New Zealand rabbits, aged 3-4 months, weighing 2.3-2.5 kg, were randomly divided into either scald group(group S, n=10)or propofol group(group P, n=10). Thirty percent of the total body surface was shaved chemically with 10% sodium sulphate and then exposed to 98 ℃ water for 20 s to produce third degree thermal injury at the back and buttocks of anesthetized rats.In group P, propofol was injected at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg at 1 h after scald, followed by an infusion of 4 mg·kg-1·h-1 for 4 h. The equal volume of normal saline was given in group S. Before scald(T1), at 1 h after scald(T2), and at 6, 12 and 24 h after administration of propofol or normal saline(T3-5), blood samples were taken from the internal jugular vein for determination of serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)activity(by lactate dehydrogenase method), aspartate aminotransferase(AST)activity(by MDH), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)concentrations(by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). The rabbits were sacrificed at T5, and their livers were removed and cut into sections which were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined under microscope. Results The serum ALT and AST activities and TNF-α concentrations were significantly higher at T2-5 than at T1.Compared with the values at T2, the serum ALT and AST activities and TNF-α concentrations in group S and serum TNF-α concentrations in group P were significantly increased at T3-5, and no significant change was found in the serum ALT and AST activities at T3-5 in group P. Compared with group S, the serum ALT and AST activities and TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased at T3-5, and the pathological changes were mitigated in group P. Conclusion Propofol provides protective effect on liver in severely scalded rabbits. Key words: Propofol; Burns; Liver